Romania hosts its first B Corp conference on October 8 in Bucharest

Better Business Alliance announces the first B Corp conference in Romania, which will take place on October 8 at The Villa, in Bucharest, with the support of the main partner, Danone Romania. The event will bring together sustainability leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives of certified B Corp companies to discuss the future of responsible business and its positive impact on society and the environment.

The conference will include a series of presentations, discussions and interactive workshops, offering participants the opportunity to learn from the experiences of certified B Corp companies and discover new strategies for integrating sustainability into business models.

The event will feature speakers from Romania and neighboring countries. Alongside local companies that have already obtained B Corp certification, the conference will also host organizations currently in the process of certification, offering an important perspective on the benefits and challenges involved.

Romania welcomes new B Corp-Certified companies

The event is all the more relevant as the B Corp community in Romania continues to grow. Recently, new companies have joined the global network of businesses that integrate sustainability into their business models, thus strengthening the local ecosystem of B Corp certified organizations.

Danone Romania became the first multinational company in the region to obtain B Corp certification after being certified in 2024 as part of the Central and Eastern Europe regional group, which includes Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

“This achievement aligns Danone Romania with a global movement for sustainability that brings together over 6,000 companies across more than 80 countries and 150 industries, all meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. This commitment is a public recognition that Danone operates with a culture focused on achieving social and sustainability goals in everything it does; and a proof that we act in the best interest of our consumers, employees, partners, and the communities we serve,” declared Ivan Holub, Danone Central Eastern Europe Sustainability Leader.

Among the companies that joined the local B Corp community this year are Promateris, the first Romanian-owned company to receive this recognition, and Confident Agency, a local creative agency that integrates sustainability into communication strategies.

“We care about our team, our clients, the environment and making an impact in everything we do, and the B Corp certification stands as testimony to our ongoing efforts to improve. For Confident Agency, this is a major achievement, especially as B Corp offers a decision-making framework for businesses that want to thrive and create a culture of impact. Our highest scores were achieved in practices related to employees, clients and engagement in impactful social causes. For us, the B Corp certification is not a destination, but a journey in which we’ve taken the first step. We will continue to constantly improve our processes and align with best practices to contribute to a more sustainable and fair future,” explained Mara Gojgar Constantin, founder of The Confident Group.

B Corp certification was also recently obtained by Ipanomi, a Romanian sustainable fashion brand focused on responsible production and timeless design, as well as by Natural, a Romanian brand that distributes products and gifts made from bio-based, plantable materials with international certifications.

“We chose B Corp certification because we wanted to prove, with concrete data and internationally recognized standards, that what we do is truly sustainable. The process took almost a year and gave us a clear framework for analyzing, improving, and validating our impact — from natural materials and local production to how we engage with the community and the environment. It was a natural step in our long-term commitment to responsible business,” said Mihaela Moisa, founder of Ipanomi.

Also, OTOTO, the only retailer of certified organic products, received B Corp certification in July. Since its founding, OTOTO stores have promoted internationally certified, biological, organic, responsibly made products or those from other B Corp certified companies.

Moreover, another 10 companies from industries such as food production, mobility, cosmetics, communication & branding, pharma, tourism, and IT are currently undergoing the certification process.

New requirements for companies seeking B Corp certification

As interest in B Corp certification grows, companies need to align with new requirements. In March, B Corp standards were updated and companies seeking certification will need to meet new criteria starting 2026.

Companies that already have a B Impact Assessment in progress or will begin the certification process in 2025 will comply with the current standards. However, starting January 1, 2026, the new requirements will become mandatory for all companies seeking B Corp certification or recertification. During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about how these changes will impact businesses.

“This first-ever B Corp conference in Romania represents an important step for the local B Corp community and for all those who want to adopt responsible business practices. We’re excited to see the growing local landscape of impact-driven businesses and to have international experts with us who can inspire and guide us on this journey toward a more sustainable future,” said Corina Radu, CEO of Impact Market Romania and co-founder of Better Business Alliance.

Participants will also have a direct social impact: 50% of each ticket’s value will be donated to the organization Ateliere Fără Frontiere, supporting projects for the labor market reintegration of individuals from vulnerable backgrounds.

The full agenda will be announced soon on the Better Business Alliance website. More information about the B Corp conference and registration process are available here and on social media.

About Better Business Alliance

Better Business Alliance is a Romanian nonprofit organization that promotes the B Corp business model in Romania, with the aim of helping local companies meet standards of social responsibility and sustainability. The alliance was founded by Romanian B Corp consultants, Corina Radu, Cătălina Ticău, Cristina Tararache, and Cristina Bîcîilă, with the support of Danone Romania and B Lab Europe, to help build a local and regional network of sustainable and visionary companies.

The alliance aims to develop a community of certified companies, those in the certification process, or those aspiring to B Corp status, united by a shared purpose: to create value for communities, employees, and the environment. It also engages in business education through the online “BIA Accelerator” program, facilitating the exchange of experience and knowledge among companies, including between large enterprises and startups, both in Romania and abroad.